Devon shifted his shoulders. “So, you really didn’t stalk me?”

“You weren’t going to play, so no,” she said. “It would’ve been a waste of time.”

“Small blessings.” He looped their arms together. “What’s your real reason?”

“Fine. You found me out,” she said. “I didn’t follow you because I didn’t want to be bored.”

“Bold of you to insult someone who was in your middle-school classes,” Devon said. “I remember when you believed the ocean was blue because it reflected the sky.”

Lia wanted to lie down and sink into the earth. “She was our teacher! They’re not supposed to lie!”

“She was joking.” Devon laughed softly.

“They’re blue for the same reason. It’s all wavelengths,” Lia said. “It’s not my fault you’re so distrusting of teachers.”

“I’m distrusting of people who use their sarcasm voice constantly,” Devon said. “She was mean. I can’t believe she didn’t count that right on the quiz when she said it in class. It wasn’t your fault you thought she was serious.”

“My dad said it was a good learning experience.” Lia exhaled loudly.

“Did he tell you to toughen up after Abby died?” Devon cracked his neck. “Sorry. Sorry. We don’t have to talk about this.”

“It’s okay.” Lia sniffed. “Why did you really enter the game?”

He turned his face away from her, toward the sun. The light cast long shadows across his face, shadowing his deep-set eyes and highlighting the angles of his cheeks. “I don’t know. Seemed fun.”

“Yeah,” Lia said, “but you never do anything for fun.”

“Hey!” Devon rounded on her, his arm still holding hers to his side, and shot her an exaggerated frown. “I have fun.”

“I’ve never seen it,” Lia said.

She would’ve stuck her nose in the air, but it would’ve only looked like she was staring up at him. Instead, she tucked her hand into her pocket. She walked next to him, flush against his side. Devon nudged her.

“If nothing else,” he said, “this is a good excuse to spend time with you.”

We should celebrate, Ben said in their group chat that night.

He’d been thrilled by the message that Peter was taken out. It was another ten bucks for Abby’s shelter and a bit of revenge for him having been taken out.

We have exams coming up, Gem reminded them.

If we party at my house, May will be here, Ben said.

Gem’s reply was instant. We should celebrate

We’re second-semester seniors. My parents will be out of town Saturday night. We should party, Ben said.

When you say party, what do you mean exactly? Devon asked.

Parties were not really Lia’s thing or, she suspected, Devon’s.

Junk food, games, and whatever else we feel like, Ben said. No one can stay past midnight, and no one can get messed up. If anyone does, May and I lose guesthouse privileges

Everyone was cool with those rules.

Good. Get there whenever after five, Ben said. Bring anything you want but I’ll get pizza and drinks. Also, if you got any games you want to play, bring them